Start earning academic credits while you seek the program that is right for you. Open Studies is a program that allows you to begin your studies on a full- or part-time basis.
The Open Studies program lets you tailor your course selection and explore different options in order to help you make educational and career decisions. You can fit your studies around your multiple interests or focus on one discipline area that interests you the most.
If you need more than two academic areas of high school-level courses, you must apply to the Academic Upgrading Program.
Purposes of Open Studies
You may design a program of studies to suit your interests and needs. Open Studies is not tied to any one career, so you can take courses which appeal to you if you have the proper prerequisites. Please note that some courses are program specific and may not be available to Open Studies students.
If you do not meet admission requirements to certificate, diploma or university programs, you may complete those requirements and then apply to these programs.
If you require a high school equivalency math course from the Academic Upgrading program as part of your Open Studies program and have been out of high school math for more than one year, you will be required to take a math placement test prior to registering for the Academic Upgrading math course.
Related Careers
This course allows you the ability to start pursuing a career/program while upgrading, or, taking a variety of courses to find the right program that meets your career goals.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
January 2026
Red Deer Polytechnic
100 College Boulevard,
RED DEER,
Alberta (AB),
T4N 5H5, Canada
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
January 2025
Red Deer Polytechnic
100 College Boulevard,
RED DEER,
Alberta (AB),
T4N 5H5, Canada
Admission requirements for specific programs will often refer to Alberta Grade 12 course groups. Visit the Admission Requirements(link is external) page for detailed group descriptions.
Have completed your high school education outside of Alberta.
Eligibility for admission to the Open Studies program at Red Deer Polytechnic requires applicants to meet minimum academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
While applicants are encouraged to present the requirements below: Students applying to Open Studies must have a minimum of 50% in: ELA 30-1 (ENGL 095), or equivalent or
A minimum of 60% in: ELA 30-2 (ENGL 090), or equivalent
Red Deer Polytechnic will accept applications from applicants that present: A minimum of 50% in: ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2 (ENGL 095 or ENGL 090), or equivalent
English Language Proficiency
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
RDP offers students with industry-relevant programming, fostering applied research opportunities and close industry ties.
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